Strong.Female.Lead. – Part 3 – Cassandra & Ellen Ripley

Posted on by The Wandering Art Historian

***This series highlights the similarities between art historical figures and their modern-day pop culture counterparts.  Part 3 features a closer look at Cassandra and Ellen Ripley.***

They say a prophet is not welcome in their own hometown and nothing could be more accurate for these two ladies. Both Cassandra and Ripley are blessed with foresight, but cursed by others’ disbelief. Lt. Ellen Ripley spends four movies warning people of the inherent danger of the Xenomorphs, but no one wants to hear the rantings of the “crazy lady.” Maybe that’s why the tagline of the film “Alien” is “In space no one can hear you scream.” They weren’t talking about screaming in fear – they were talking about screaming in frustration! I think Cassandra and Ripley deserve to say a hearty, “I told you so!”

In part 3 of this series, we discuss the uncanny similarities between the Ancient Greek priestess Cassandra and her counterpart Lt. Ellen Ripley of the USCSS Nostromo. You can watch the video by following this link…

Below you can find all the artwork mentioned in the video you just watched…

“Cassandra,” Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys, before 1904
“Cassandra,” Evelyn De Morgan, 1898

This depiction of Cassandra shows her quite literally pulling her hair in frustration as the city of Troy burns in the background behind her. Take note of the horse sculpture – the Trojan Horse! – and the tiny people pouring out of it. It was a trap!

“Cassandra,” Henrietta L. Palmer, ca. 1859

Here we see Cassandra depicted with tousled hair, robes blowing in the wind and a distraught look upon her face. These artistic choices help to enhance the drama and the movement of the scene without even showing the city of Troy burning.

“Cassandra,” Anthony Frederick Augusts Sandys, before 1904
“Cassandra Raving,” engraving by Francis Legat after artist George Romney, 1795

In this image we see Cassandra with her hatchet referencing her attempt to destroy the Trojan Horse before the Ancient Greeks came bursting out of it.

Is it true that a prophet is not welcome in their own hometown? Have you ever experienced a Cassandra Complex? leave your thoughts below!

Leave a comment

The Wandering Art Historian's avatar
I am writer and artist with a degree in art history who loves to talk to people about art. I have spent the last seven years building up The Wandering Art Historian “brand” as a way to connect with people who want to learn more about art. I give lectures and presentations and teach classes and host book club discussions with a creative or artistic connection. I also write about local artists, events, museums, and exhibitions to promote the arts in Central Florida. In 2021, I had a creative crisis. I struggled with authenticity in the art making process. I decided to make myself vulnerable and find out what a real, genuine Adrienne H. Lee artwork would look like. The process was challenging and emotional and revelatory. I learned that if necessity is the mother of invention, then authenticity is the mother of reinvention. I reinvented myself and learned an entirely new medium. The resulting artwork surprised me, and it will surprise you, too. Some people wish for a fairytale ending. For me, the fairy tale is only the beginning.